Tag: Farm

Farm Fresh names Japanese Shota Sato as new coach

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New Farm Fresh Foxies head coach Shota Sato.–FARM FRESH FOXIES PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Japanese Shota Sato has taken over the coaching reins of Farm Fresh ahead of the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference starting July 16 at Philsports Arena.

The Foxies on Saturday announced that Sato replaced Jerry Yee, who took over their sister team, ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles.

“Meet our new head coach who will call the shots for the Foxies starting in the Reinforced Conference, all the way from Japan, Shota Sato,” the team wrote. “We look forward to see the team continuously learn from you, coach! Let’s do this!”

READ: PVL: Farm Fresh taps Yeny Murillo for Reinforced Conference

Sato became the third Japanese head coach in the PVL after Taka Minowa, who started with Nxled before transferring to Akari, and Petro Gazz mentor Koji Tsuzurabara.

Sato, an assistant coach for reigning PVL Invitational champion Kurashiki Ablaze, has started working with Farm Fresh in the All-Filipino Conference as part of Yee’s coaching staff, which includes Japanese consultant Hideo Suzuki and deputy Shimizu Mikihiro and Asaka Tamaru, who will serve as ZUS Coffee’s import.

Sato will be inheriting young guns Trisha Tubu, Kate Santiago, Caitlin Viray, Alyssa Bertolano, Louie Romero, and Rizza Cruz as well as Colombian import Yeny Murillo.

READ: PVL Draft: Farm Fresh Foxies still mulling their picks

The Foxies will pick fourth overall in the Rookie Draft on Monday at Novotel.

Farm Fresh opens its campaign against Chery Tiggo on July 16.

The Foxies are slated in Pool A, which includes All-Filipino champion Creamline, PLDT, Galeries Tower, and Nxled.



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Farm Fresh taps Yeny Murrilo for Reinforced Conference

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Yeny Murrilo is Farm Fresh Foxies’ import for the PVL Reinforced Conference.

MANILA, Philippines — Farm Fresh parades Colombian outside spiker Yeny Murrilo in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference starting on July 16 at Philsports Arena.

The Foxies on Friday evening announced their reinforcement for their first-ever import-laden tournament since joining the league last year.

Murillo, who turned 25 on Friday, is already in Manila, training with Farm Fresh.

The 6-foot spiker, who played for Arizona Western College and Grand Canyon University, is bringing her experience from seeing action in overseas club leagues in Greece, France, Cyprus, and Czechia.

READ: PVL Draft: Farm Fresh still mulling its picks

Murillo will bolster the young Foxies Trisha Tubu, Kate Santiago, Caitlin Viray, Alyssa Bertolano, Louie Romero, and Rizza Cruz.

The Foxies will pick fourth overall in the Rookie Draft on Monday at Novotel.

Farm Fresh opens its campaign against Chery Tiggo on July 16.

The Foxies are slated in Pool A, which includes All-Filipino champion Creamline, PLDT, Galeries Tower, and Nxled.



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Farm Fresh still mulling its picks

On: By: admin


FILE– PVL Rookie Draft aspirants after the two-day Draft Combine. -MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — With ZUS Coffee already firm with its top pick, Farm Fresh is still pondering the best player who will fit into its team with the fourth overall pick of the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft. 

Kiara Cruz, Strong Group’s head of volleyball operations, admitted that the Foxies aren’t decided on their first-round pick among the talent of the 47 rookies, who showcased their skills in the two-day Draft Combine at GameVille Ball Park.

“To be honest, we’re in a tough spot but we’re very grateful fourth pick. Honestly, we’re also a bit coi confused right now, especially with the pool of talent that are here and we don’t know who to pick yet,” Cruz told reporters as Farm Fresh was drawn fourth in the lottery with just a 10 percent chance of getting the top pick.

READ: Teams begin plotting PVL Draft strategies

“I guess we’ll see on draft day itself and we have to talk about it with the upper management as well.

ZUS Coffee coach Jerry Yee already has prospects to draft including Thea Gagate.  He also has his eye on rookies who could complete their roster with only Dolly Verzosa and Mary Joy Onofre the remaining players from their debut conference joined by College of Saint Benilde products Cloanne Mondoñedo, Gayle Pascual, Michelle Gamit, and Jade Gentapa.

“It’s definitely a big event to be here because we still need to fill slots for our team but we see great potential from these players even if you know in the likes of Gagate, Leila, and La Salle girls, NCAA players and players from other countries that are very someone to look out for. Very promising for us,” said Cruz.

READ: Team owners’ reluctance to salary limits puzzles PVL chief

As they continue to figure out how to maximize their draft picks for Farm Fresh, Cruz believes that the Foxies will surpass their 3-8 record in the All-Filipino with the Japanese coaches taking over in the Reinforced Conference.

“I can say that it’s very smooth since the kids are receptive, we have very young pool who are receptive Japanese culture so I would say watch out for us this conference. They’re only going up from here,” said the former Farm Fresh libero-turned-executive.



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